Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-12-10

others
He thrust himself into the trousers, but
toned and bracel them, put on the dressing
gown, and laughed.
'sThcy Zap about my legs. Legsl Why,
am notorious for my muscular calves, and
my Ices look like pipe stems. Now, what
could have led me to such a dream as thisl
must have been talking of Jefferson before
went to bed, and that suggested trousers, and
trousers suggested legs, and-oh, the devel-
opment of the idea is quite clearp
/ assisted him--he was evidently very weak
into the library, and installed him in an
easy chair, into which he sank with sign
Of pleasure Then Lit the gas, and he eyed
me curiously.
II see that, too" he mutterod to himself.
'Guy and were talking of this now project
IF lighting London by inhammable air-gas,
hey called it. That accouts for it. But the
friction matches, However, if can remem-
Der the process and the materials when l
wake up and if it works in reality as it does
in a dream, I shall be known as famous in
ventor. But the queerest thing is, that while
/ know it is a dream, / have TO keep on
dreaming"
"Shall l order s1pperg" said. "You have
had nothing but milk
"MilkF he replied. 'If there be anything
] detest it is milk. Order what you like
| rang the bell, and when the servant came,
ordered supper to be served in the library,
When Peter-who, impassive as he generally
was, displayed by look his establishment at
the strangers presence-had gone out, John
Trelawney said:
"That's another of the dream people. /
never saw him before, and when | wake up,
won't see him again. But what-what the
deuce is thatg'
A mingled look of terror, doubt and
amusement went over his face as he lifted
the end of his long, white beard, which he
now observed for the first time He passed
his hand upward and traced the beard to his
chin, and then he gave it a sharp tug.
"Of all the farrago of nonsense which
comes in mans head in dreams, this is the
most absurd. A long, white beard on me,
man of rs; and heavens" he continued, as
he caught glimpse Of his face in the mirror
over the mantel there's white hair, and
wrinkles to correspond. This matches the
thin legs. | shouldn't wonder if | turned to
an old woman next, with black satin dress
and lot of falbalas,"
Here he burst into loud fit of laughter
'What is the matter with my voice, /
wondergn he exclaimed; cts of a piece with
my beard, and my wrinkles, and my legs. If
l were awake and looked like this, and
talked so, should think l had got to be 80 at
least, Won't l have fine tale to tell to Guy
in the morning.
Peter came in with tray bearing plates,
dishes and eatables, and John with the tea
service. When they had spread the cloth on
the library table and arranged everything,
e+o
sailed in.
Mrs Lang" said, "let me present you to
Mr.. John Treawney, who remains with us,
and to whom every one in the house will pay
as much Difference and attention as to me.
Uncle John, this is the housekeeper, Mrs.
Lang"
Mrs. Lang was evidently mystiied, but
she was equal to the occasion. She per-
formed an elaborate courtesy. Uncle John,
as a polite old young gentleman, rose and
bent his body in acknowledgement
Now said, mo one need wait, as we
are to have some conversation on family mat
ters / can even dispense with your attend
ance, Mrs. Lang"
The housekeeper shifted family, but depart
ed with the others.
Now for the feast of the Barmecides,"
said Uncle John, gayly. "Nol the tea tastes
as natural as though it were tea. These
chops, too, what is the matter with my teetha
Why, hang It'll they're half gone see, all
in keeping-sans teeth, sans everything"
"Uncle john" l interposed, ''you must ex-
cuse me if l caution you to be careful about
your eating. As your stomach has been ac-
customed solely to liquid food for over
eighty -four years, solid matter might
Liquid food! eighty-four yearsl' he burst
out "Now what could have led to such a
mental vagary even in a dream! And know
ing this to be a dream, why can't | wake
myselfw
The supper passed Off, though Uncle John
would pause occasionally and tap his head
and smile He evinced signs of fatigue
shortly after, and / led him to chamber,
where assisted him to disrobe, and left him.
The next morning, finding he was very
weak, had chocolate served to him in his
room The servants were evidently puzzled,
and / could fancy the below stairs parlia-
ment in active session. But they were well
drilled, and evinced no surprise in our pres
ence, and made no inquiries as to how and
when this newly found relative had come to
be visitor About II o'clock my guest rose
and assisted him to the library, where we
had breakfast. While we were eating he
was startled by the screams of a steam
whistle-the railway passing within 200 yards
of the house.
"Wha--what is thatf'
"Oh nothing" 1 said "but the train. We
have a railway crossing over the estate, and
| station within a quarter of mile from the
house. This was an out train, and the engi-
| neer always salutes me-"
"Railwayi tramp
The servants were listening, and changed
| the subject by finding fault with an egg
| which was overdone. When we had finished
| / took Uncle John into the library, got him
an easy chair, and handed him one of the
| New York morning papers He looked at it
| in amazement, and repeated its title.
"Why, never heard of it BEFORE he said;
land the type is so small that can't read it,
| Oh, seel White hair wrinkles, thin legs,
weakness, poor teeth, and SO failing sight is
| in keeping. / wonder am not deaf